Electric train-reporting mechanism



R. C. LEAKE.

ELECTRIC TRAIN REPORTlNG MECHANISM.

APPUCATION FILED NOV. 1:. 19:5.

1,355,054, Patented Oct. 5,1920.

INVENTOR M M 1 I av j n pw UNITED STATLEE fill'ENT OFFICE.

RICHARD C. LEAKE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAYSIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC TRAIN-REPORTING MECHANISM.

Application filed November 11, 1915.

To all ill/07 it may concern Be it known that I, llicinuu) C. Luann, acitizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Rochester, inthe county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new anduseful Electric 'l'rain-Rcporting Mechanism, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to signaling systems for railroads, and moreparticularly to a train reporting equipment for use in cmineetion withtelephone train despatching systems, so that the train despatcher mayobtain, whenever he desires, an indication or signal reporting thepassage of a train by some selected point along the railroad, usually anisolated place where there is no operator on duty, whereby the tiespatcher is able to keep better track of the location of trains on hisdivision and to despatch the trains to better advantage. This trainreporting equipment is conveniently termed an O S equipment, the term 0S being derived from the common practice in telegraph train despatchingof reporting a train by sending in the Morse code the letters 0 and 5followed by the train number.

()ne of the principal objects of this invention is to devise anarrangement and construction of parts in an automatic train reportingsystem by means of which a despatcher at the central station mayascertain when a train or car passes a particular place or way stationalong the railroad track.

A further object of the invention is an arrangement and construction ofparts in a train reporting system such that the train dcspatcher mayselect a particular way station and place the apparatus at that waystation in condition to report to him when a train next passes thatparticular way station, the train despatcher being informed by asuitable distinctive answer-back signal of the fact that the apparatusat said way Station has been placed in the condition to be operated bythe passage of the next train.

A further object of the invention is to de vise an arrangement andconstruction of parts in a train reporting system such that the traindespatcher may select a particular way station from among several whichwill be the one to report to him when a train next passes the waystation selected.

A still further object of the invention is Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

Serial No. 60,886.

to devise a train reporting system such that the distinctive signal fortelling the train despatcher that a train has passed the particular waystation selected by him will be given continuously until stopped by thetrain despatcher.

A still further object of-the invention is to devise an arrangement andconstruction of parts in a train reporting system such that a traindespatcher, after having selected a particular we station as the onewhich should report to im of the passage of a train, may, if he desires,restore the apparatus at the selected Way station to its normalcondition so that said apparatus will not report the passage of a train,the train despatcher also being informed of the restoration of the partsof said apparatu to their normal condition by a distinctive signal.

A still further object of the invention is to devise an arrangement andconstruction of parts in a train reporting system such that the traindespatcher may ascertain at any time whether or not the apparatus at anyparticular Way station is set or conditioned for sending a signalannouncing the passage of a train thereby, without requiring any changein the condition of said apparatus.

Other objects and advanta es of the in vention will appear more ful yhereinafter the description of the invention progresses.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is made to theaccompanying drawing in which is illustrated the preferred physicalembodiment of the invention and in which is shown diagrammatically theparts and their controlling circuits of a train reporting systemembodying this invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the letter E indicates generallyand in a simplified manner the equipment at the central station ordespatchers office; and F the line circuit or telephone line whichextends along the track from the despatchers oiiice to the various localoiliees. The track rails 104-405 of the railroad track are divided byinsulated joints 106 into track sections. Several track sections ll, 27,j, k are illustrated side by side, but it should be understood that inpractice there may be any number of track sections located at thedesired points along the track. Associated with each track section orlocal way station, is the train reporting equipment embodying thisinvention, the equipment for only one way station at the track section Hbeing shown in detail, those at the other way stations being indicatedconventionally I, J and K. This way station equipment comprises a signalsending device or answer back mechanism, the parts of which are shown intwo groups designated A and B. The. group A consists primarily of a codeor answer wheel 1 and associated devices; and the group B consists of anelectromagnetic device comprising the motor for operating the codewheel. At each way station is a selector, designated as a whole D. whichis illustrated as being the type disclosed in the patent to M. F. Geerand R. C. Leake, 1,118,120, November 24, 1914. G is a relay of ordinaryconstruction, shown conventionally and conveniently termed the O Srelay; and C is a olarized relay, conveniently termed the selector orstop relay. N o attempt has been made to show the details ofconstruction of the answer back mechanism, since it forms the subjectmatter of my copending application, Serial No. 16,863, filed March 25,1915, and for the purpose of understanding the present invention, itwill be suflicient to explain important features of construction andoperation of this mechanism. In order to avoid confusion. the supportingframe and similar parts of the answer back mechanism have not beenshown, and it should be understood that the parts illustrated aresuitably supported, electrically connected or insulated, or otherwiseadapted to perform the proper function, all in the manner fully shownand described in my prior application, Serial No. 16,863.

The answer wheel 1, is a toothed ring revolubly held by rollers 2,engaging its inner track 3,'which has a notch 4, into and out of whichride two insulating rollers 5, 6, respectively secured to the free endsof two conductive arms 7, 8, pivoted to two binding posts 9, 10, fixedto a front frame plate not shown and which also fixedly carries aninsulated conductive contact 11, disposed centrally within the wheel 1,and adapted for engagement by either of two elastic contacts 12, 13,carried by the respective arms 7, 8, and as determined by the riding ofthe respective arm rollers 5, 6, into and out of the wheel notch 4. Theanswer wheel has a series of peripheral teeth some of which are Gut awayat the ends, and the full length and shorter teeth may be relativelyarranged to provide for closing by the long teeth any desired series ofelectric circuits causing distinctive code clicks or sounds at the traindespatchers telephone. As shown the wheel 1, when rotated once clockwisewill assure three distmctive series of three-two" clicks and whenrotated once counter-clockwise will assure three distinctive series ofreverse order two-three clicks at the telephone. By varying the numberand grouping of the long teeth, it is evident that the answer wheel maybe constructed to transmit any one of a number of different codesignals; and in practice the answer wheels at the several way stationshave different arrange ments of long teeth so as to give distinctivecode signals which can be readily distinguished from each other by thedespatchcr and easily identified as coming from that particular waystation. As the answer wheel rotates, its series of long teeth 33depress an insulating roller 14, carried by a conductive arm 15,fulcrumed to a binding post. 16, on the front frame plate and carrying aconductive head-plate 1?, having contacts 18, 19, and an insulatingroller 21). To respective binding posts 21, 22, 23, 24:, on the frameplate are secured elastic contact plates 25, 26, 27, 28, respectivelycarrying'contacts 29, 30, 31, 32. As the arm 15, and its plate 17 aretogether depressed by the long teeth 33, the three opposed pairs ofcontacts 1829, 19--30, til-32, are respectively closed to establishcertain signal transmitting circuits, and as each long wheel tooth 33,passes beyond the roller 14:, the contact arm 15, and contact plates25,26, 27, 28, resume normal positions against stops 34, and then thethree pairs of contacts are separated to break said circuits. The shortwheel teeth 35, pass the roller 14 without a circuit closing effect.

The answer wheel 1 is rotated step by step by two pawls 36, 37, whichengage the wheel teeth 33, .35, and are pivoted to the upper end ofanami'SS attached at its lower end to an arnfatnre 39 which is mountedfor oscillation about its middle and is normally biased by'a suitablespring or weight (not shown) to the central or intermediate positionshown. The ends of the armature 39 are arranged to be attracted by theL-shaped cores 40-41 of two electromagnets having windings 42 and 43.These electromagnets also operate a control armature 45, and toillustrate the relation of the parts, the armature 39 and portions ofthe cores -1U-41 have been shown twice in the two groups of parts A andB. The armature 45 is fixed to a shaft 44 supported in suitablebearings,

(not shown) so that the armature may oscillate, said armature beingbiased by its weight to the middle position shown. This control armature45 is disposed with respect to the cores 40-41 so that. it will berocked in one direction or the other whenever one or the other of thetwo windings =1243 is energized. Fixed to the shaft 44 is an arm 46,which is provided with an insulated head arranged to strike one or theother of two contact springs 47-l8 as the shaft 44 is oscillated fromits middle position, thereby separating said springs from fixed contacts-i9-5() which are included in the respecting energizing circuits for thewindings 4213. The control armature 45 and its associated partsconstitutes in effect a slow-acting make and break device for the twoelcctromagnets, so that when the energizing circuit for one of thesemagnets is established, it will be intermittently broken, therebycausing intermittent attraction of one end ofthe armature 39 andreciprocation of the corresponding pawl 36 or 37 to rotate the answerwheel 1 step by step in one direction or the other. To cause clockwiserotation of the answer wheel 1 the winding 42 is energized. This swingsthe control armature 45 counterclockwise, in the direction indicated bythe arrow 0*, until the head of arm 46 moves contact. spring 47 fromcontact 49, thereby breaking said energizing circuit, which per- 'mitsparts 45, 4:6, by gravity aided by the resiliency of contact 49, toresume normal central positions and thus remake this circuit which againis likewise broken, and so on intermittently until the wheel operatingcircuit is finally broken; and to cause the answer wheel to rotatecounter-clockwise the other magnet 41, 43, is energized and swingsarmature 45, in direction of arrow y, until the head 46, moves contact48 from contact 50, to momentarily break the energizing circuit andpermit readjustment of parts i5, 46, to normal central positions toremake this circuit. This intermittent energization of either magnetattracts one end or the other of the armature 39, and actuates the pawls36 or 37, to rotate the answer wheel step by step in one direction orthe other. During clockwise rotation of the Wheel both contacts 12, 13,engage contact 11, for most of the time, but 12, alone is active while13, is inert, and during counter-clockwise rotation of the wheel, thecontacts 12, 13, likewise engage central contact 11, but now 13, aloneis active while 12, is inert.

The direction of continuous rotation of the answer wheel is controlledby the polarized selector relay C, comprising two pole-pieces 52, 53,respectively having surrounding wire coils 54, 55. A pivoted armature56, is attracted by either pole 52, 53. and has a stem adapted to engageeither of two contacts 57 and 58. \Vhen the armature 56, attracted bypole 52, engages the contact 57, the answer wheel 1, is rotatedclockwise, and when said armature 56, attracted by pole 53, engages thecontact 58, the answer wheel is rotated counter-clockwise due to thedifferent circuits set up, as hereinafter more fully explained.

0' The selector D, comprises two magnets respectively having wire coils59, 60, connected in series at one end by a wire 61, and connected attheir other ends to hereinafter named circuit wires. Energizing theserespective coils reversely attracts an armature 62, which operatestoothed segments con trolling movements of two plungers one of which ismarked 63. and by' applying the proper number of positive and negativeimpulses to th" coils 596(). the position of the plunger 63 may beselected. and the insulated button on the end thereof pressed down tooperate any one of three groups of contacts respectively marked S, A N,S T. The O S contact group comprises three resilient fingers 64, 65, 66,the one 64, being normally separated from fingers 65, 66, but engagingboth when operated. The A N- contact group comprises three fingersincluding a finger 67, which normally engages a second finger 68, but isseparated from a third finger 69, and when operated the tingers 67, 68,are separated and the fingers 67, 69, are engaged. The S T contact groupcomprises two fingers 70, 71, normally separated but engaged whenoperated. Each contact group of each selector D, is operative only by acertain combination of positive and negative impulses sent through thecoils 59, 60, and these impulse combinations differ for the differentselectors used to make or break certain electric circuits at diflerentlocal stations or places along a railway line. The selector contacts 64to 71, are connected to hereinafter named circ wires.

The illustrated train despatchers equipment E, comprises va pole changerhaving two pivoted switches 72-73, coupled for movement together andadjustable to three contacts 74, 75, 76. A wire 77, connects contact 75,with the negative pole of a battery 78, the positive pole of which isconnected by wire 79, to the contact 76, and a wire 80. connects thecontact 74,-with the wire 79v The fulcrum of switch 72, connects by awire 81, with the telephone line wire S2,'and the other line wire 83, isconnected by a wire 84:, to the telegraphers key 85, making and breakingcircuit at a contact 86, which is connected by wire 87, with the fulcrumof switch 73. The telephone receiver 88, is connected in bridge by wires89, 90, to the respective wires 81, 84. in which are interposedimpedance coils or devices 91, 92, subduing or minimizing at thereceiver 88. the click sounds of the key 85, thereby avoidingdisagreeable knocking at the train despatchefs ear. 'hen the switches7273, are adjusted to the lei'thand as shown, electric impulses of onepolarity may be impressed upon line wires 82, 93, from battery 78, byoperating the key 85, and when the switches are adjusted to the righthand. impulses of opposite polarity thus may be impressed upon thetelephone line. The pole changing switch 7273 and the key 85 have beenshown as simple equivalent devices for performing the functions of theautomatic calling keys which would be used in practice and which aredisclosed, for example. in the patent to M. F. (.ieer and R. C. Leaks,1,105,766, August 4, 1914.

The O S relay G, comprises a coil 93, by which three pivoted armatures94, 95. 96. are attracted when the coil is energized, thus lifting therespective armatures to three front contacts 97, 98, 99, and when thecoil 93, is 'deenergized the armatures 95, 96, drop and respectivelyengage back contacts 100, 101, thereby influencing electric circuitsover wires hereinafter mentioned and including two wires 102, 103,respectively connected to the rails 104, 105, of the insulated tracksection H, with which the (l S relay G. coacts in manner hereinaftermore fully explained. The like 0 S relays of the other similar stationequipments indicated at I, J, K, are in like manner connectedrespectively by wires i i 7"-j lck with the above named track sections2', j, is, with which they coact.

The electric circuits employed in operat ing the various above namedmechanisms or appliances now will be traced, and for conveniencenumbered.

First circuit is from positive battery L, Wires 107, 108, 109, 110, 111,S contacts 64, 65, wires 112, 113, 114, O S relay coil 93, and wires115, 116, 117, 118, to negative battery L. The

Second circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108, 109, 110,119, A N contacts 67, 68, wire 120, front contact 97, O S relay armature94, wires 121, 114, O S relay coil 93, and wires 115, 116, 117, 118, tonegative battery L. The

Third circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108, 109, 110, 111,S contacts 64, 66, wires 122, 123, magnet coil 42, wire 124, frontcontact 98, O S relay armature 95, and wires 125, 117, 118, to negativebattery L. The

Fourth circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108. 109, 126,contacts 11, 12, arm 7, post 9, wires 127, 128, resilient contact 47,contact 49, wires 129, 123, magnet coil 42, wire 124, front contact 98,S relay armature 95, and wires 125, 117, 118, to negative battery L. The

Fifth circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108, 130, selectorrelay armature 56, contact 57, wires 131, 128, and thence as in fourthcircuit, through resilient contact 47, contact 49, wires 129, 123,magnet coil 42, wire 124,

front contact 98, O S relay armature 95, and wires 12:"), 117, 118, tonegative battery L. The

Sivrth circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108. 109, 110.132,S T contacts 70, 71, wire 133, S relay armature 96, front contact 99,wire 134, selector relay coil 55, and wires 135, 118, to negativebattery L. The

Seventh circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108, 109, 126,contacts 11, 13, arm 8, post 10, wire 136, resilient contact 48, contact50, wires 137, 138, magnet coil 43, wire 139, back contact 100, O Srelay armature 95, and wires 125, 117, 118, to negative battery L. The

Eighth circuit Ninth circuit is from positive battery L, wires, 107,108, 109, 110, 132, S T contacts 70, 71, wire 133, O S relay armature96, back contact 101, wire 141, selector relay coil 54, and wires 142,135, 118, to negative battery L. The

Tenth circuit is from positive battery L, wires 107, 108, 109, 110, 119,A N contacts 67, 69, wires 143, 138, magnet coil 43, wire 139, backcontact 100, O S relay armature 95, and wires 125, .117, 118, tonegative battery L.

There are two additional circuits directly assuring the answer backattests at the train despatchers telephone and including an Eleventhcircuit from positive battery L, to wires 107, 144, the primary winding145, of an induction coil, wire 146, post 22, plate 26, its contact. 30,contact 19, on head-plate 17, through plate 17, and its other contact18, to contact 29, on plate 25, through plate 25, to post 21, and wire147, to such negative portion of the battery L, aS shall assure passageof only so much of its energy as may be necessary for completing theanswer back circuits to give clearly audible click attests at thetelephone receiver 88, which is included in a Twelfth circuit induced bymaking and breaking the eleventh circuit and traced from the secondarywinding 148, of the induction coil through wire 146, post 22, plate 26,contacts 30, 19. head-plate 17, arm 15, its fulcrum post 16, wires 1451.30. to telephone line wire 83. and thence by wires 84, SN), to thetelephone receiver 88, and by wires 89, 81, to the other telephone linewire 82. and thence by wires 151, 152, to post 24, plate 28. (Ufltm'tS3Q, 31, plate 27, post :23. wire 153. condenser. 154, and wire 155, backto the secondary induction coil 148.

The selector wires 156. 157, are connected to the answer back circuitwires 150, 151, at points behind a lightning arrester 158, grounded at159. (urrcnt thus is taken from the telephone line wires 82. 83, forenergizing the selector armature operating coils 59, (50. for actuatingthe three groups 0 S, A N, S T. of selector contacts.

Operation: The parts of the equipment at the track section H are shownin the normal or inactive position. If the dcspatcher wishes to obtainan O S signal or report from the way station at which this track scrtionis located telling him of the passage of the next train thereby, heoperates the switch 72 73 and the key 85 in a way corresponding, to theautomatic operation of a calling key. so as to send out over the linewires 8283 a particular combination of positive and negative impulses.These impulses will of course pass through all of the selectorsconnected to the line circuitQbut only the selector at the particulartrack section in question will be operated by the final impulse to closethe contacts designated 0 S. The contacts ti465 establish a circuithereinbefore traced and called the first circuit, and this energized theO S relay G. When the relay (l picks up, it is stuck up by the stick orlocking circuit, (the second circuit). ith the armature or contactfinger 95 of the relay (it raised. the fifth circuit is established andenergizes winding 42, thereby attracting armature 39, advancing pawl 36,and driving the answer wheel 1 one tooth in the (lOCkWlSQ directionindicated by the arrow r. The control armature -15 is rocked at the sametilne and opens this fifth circuit at contacts 47-l9; but the winding 42is maintained energized by the third circuit, indc )endently of thesecontacts 47 19, until the S contacts 64-66 open. The purpose of thisthird circuit is to hold the answer wheel stationary and delay thetransmission of answer back impulses until the O S contacts open and theline is cleared. in order that the current changes in the line circuitwhen these 0 S contacts open. will not mingle with the answer backimpulses and cause confusion. W'hen the O S contacts 64 and $6 finallyopen. the winding 42 is de nergizcd, the control armature 45 and thearmature 39 returned to the normal position, the fifth circuit againestablished at contacts 4T-l9, whereupon the armatures 39 and 45 a reagain attracted, again released and so on, thereby rotating the answerwheel step by step in a clockwise direction.

As the answer wheel thus rotates, its long teeth 33 intermittently closethe eleventh and twelfth circuits by depressing the roller 14, therebycausing continuous series of threetwo clicks at the telephone 88, whichnotify the train despatcher that the O S contacts had rightly operatedand had caused the intended energization of relay G, thereby adjustingor conditioning apparatus at the track section H to give the desiredrepoIt to him of the arrival of an approaching train. After saidthree-two click telephone attest is fully understood by the traindespatcher he should stop it, which he does by operating the switch72-73, and key 85, or equivalent selector key, to impress on thetelephone line 82, 83, the necessary combination of positive andnegative impulses to which only the S T contacts of the selector at thetrack section H, will respond, thereby closing the hereinabove namedsixth circuit which energizes selector relay pole 53, and shifts theselector relay armature 56, from its contact 57 to its contact 58, thusbreaking the fifth circuit at contact 57, but leaving the fourth circuitactive to further rotate the answer wheel clockwise until the roller 5.next enters the wheel notch f, and finally disengages contacts 12,11, tobreak said fourth circuit, whereupon the wheel now stops and thethree-two clicks at telephone 88, cease. The temporarily made sixthcircuit is itself broken by automatic opening of the S T contacts.

A later additional and verifying attest of the adjustment or setting ofthe O S relay G, may be obtained by the same or a succeeding traindespatcher by selectively causing another operation of the 0 S contartsat the way station in question, which again closes the third circuit andenergizes the winding 42 to drive the answer wheel one tooth clockwise.This movement of the answer wheel raises the roller 5 out of the notch4. this roller having been left in the notch when the answer wheelstopped, and closes the fourth circuit at contacts 1112. As the selectorrelay armature had previously been moved by the sixth circuit away fromcontact 57, the fifth circuit through 56, 57, is not made and thereforecannot urge the answer wheel notch 4, past the roller 5, after thisroller again enters the notch. Hence, for verifying attest purposes theanswer wheel will make only one complete clockwise revolution underinfluence of the fourth circuit and will stop when the roller 5 entersthe wheel notch 4, and thus opens contacts 12, 11, to break said fourthcircuit. This one clockwise revolution of the answer wheel gives threeverifying three-two click answer back attests at the telephone 88, toreassure the despatcher that the relay G,

at the track section H. had been set as desired. If this one tripleverifying attest be insuflicient the (J S contacts may again be operatedto likewise cause another triple verifying three-two click answer backattest at the telephone.

As the arrived train, or car passes upon or over the short insulatedtrack section H, the car wheels and axles sutliciently short circuit anddecnergize the (J S relay G, to allow its three armatures 94, 95, 96, todrop away from their front contacts 97, 98, 99, and to engage armatures95, 96, with the back contacts 100, 101, thereby breaking the existingsecond armature stick circuit. The dropping of contact finger 95establishes the eighth circuit which energizes the winding 43 (thearmature 56 of the stop relay C being now over against contact 58) andcauses continuous rotation of the answer wheel 1 in a counterclockwisedirection, indicated by the arrow L. This continuous counterclockwiserotation of the answer wheel causes its long'teeth 33, to intermittentlydepress the roller 14, thereby closing the hereinabove named eleventhand twelfth circuits and causing continuous series of reverse order ortwo-three clicks at the telephone 88, which distinctively attest to thetrain despatcher that the train had arrived at the track section H.lVhen this telephonic attest is fully understood by the despatcher heshould stop it, which he does by again manipulating the switch 72-73,and key 85, or equivalent selector key, to impress on the telephone line82. 83, the combination of positive and negative impulses to which the ST contacts alone respond so as to close the hereinabove named ninthcircuit which again energizes selector relay pole 52, and shifts theselector relay armature 56, back again to its full line first describedposition at contact 57, thereby breaking the eighth circuit at contact58, but leaving the seventh circuit active to further rotate the answerwheel counter-clockwise until the roller 6, next enters the wheel notch4. and thus finally disengages contacts 13, 11. whereupon the wheelstops and the two-three clicks at telephone 88 also cease. The ninthcircuit is itself broken by automatic opening of the S T contacts, andall hereinbefore named first to twelfth circuits now are broken, and allparts of the answer-back, and selector relay, and selector, and O Srelay mechanisms or appliances at the station next the track section H,are restored to their original or normal condition, in readiness foroperation from the distant train despatchers oliice when he next desiresan O S report of any particular train passing said track section H, andwhich he may obtain in manner hereinbefore described.

It will be noticed that there is no preliminary answer-wheel lockingcircuit directly before operation of the wheel counter-clockwise, suchas the third circuit prior to clockwise rotation of the wheel. This isbecause the eighth circuit is closed directly by passage of a train orcar upon the track section H, which deenergizes the S relay G, and notby the despatcher operating the switch 7273. and key 85, or equivalentselector keys. hence no confusing sounds from selector operation arepresent in the telephone 82-5, and therefore the answer wheel need notbe temporarily locked to delay giving the answer-back attest of a trainor car upon track section ll. until after selector contacts open, andimmediate closure of said seventh and eighth circuits assuring suchattest is permissible.

This invention makes special provision for annulling a mistaken orill-advised preparatory setting of any distant relay (1? to conditionthe S equipment at that particular track section for operation to reportthe passage of the next train. To do this, the despatchcr selectivelycauses operation of the A N contact group thereby breaking the existingsecond stick circuit by separating contacts 67, 68, and the S relayarmatures 94, 95, 96, then drop away from their front contacts andthereby restore the parts to the normal condition. The dropping of thearmature 95 on its back contact 100 closes the eighth circuit throughthe winding 43, contacts 4850, and contact 58 and armature 56 of thestop relay C, said armature 56 having been shifted to the dotted lineposition in the previous operation of stopping the answer back when theapparatus was conditioned to report a train. If the A N contacts 68-69should not open before the armature 95 engages its back contact, thetenth circuit will also be set up, but this merely holds'the answerwheel stationary until said A N contacts open and the line is clear. Theeighth circuit causes the answer wheel. 1 to be rotated counterclockwisein the manner previously explained, until the armature 56 of the stoprelay C is shifted back to the full line position, whereupon the answerwheel will stop as soon as the roller 6 drops into the notch 4, theoperation of these parts being similar to that already described.

One or more check or verifying signals, showing that a prior setting ofthe O S equipment has been annulled or that this equipment is in thenormal condition, may be obtained by the despatcher causing selectiveoperation of the A N contacts. With the parts of the O S equipment inthe normal position as shown, operation of the A N contacts establishesthe tenth circuit and advances the answer wheel one tooth, therebyraising the roller 6 out of the notch 4 in which it was left and closingcontacts 1113. When the A N contacts open, the

answer wheel is rotated by the seventh circuit, thereby giving threeseries or repetitions of the three-two clicks in the train despatchenstelephone receiver. This rotation of the answer wheel is automaticallystopped after one complete revolution when the roller 6 again drops intothe notch at and its contacts automatically open.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the train despatcher mayset up or condition the apparatus at any one of the several way stationsto report the passage of the next train, and will receive a continuousanswer back signal in a code characteristic of that station whentheapparatus is thus conditioned. This continuous answer back is stopped byoperating a calling key which causes closing of the S T contacts at thestation in question. \Vhen a train enters the track section at which theapparatus has been thus conditioned for operation, another answer backsignal in a different code is transmitted over the line circuit to thedespatchers ofiice, and this signal will likewise continue or persist,until stopped by the despatcher. It is desirable that this train reporting signal should continue until stopped by the despat/cher, sincehe may be away from his desk or engaged in other duties at the instantthe train entered the distant track section, and if the signal were onlyof a short duration, he might fail to receive it.

If the despatcher wishes to check himself, or if another despatchercomes on dut and wants to check up conditions, a checli answer backsignal can be automatically obtained from each of the Way stations byoperating the appropriate calling keys. If the apparatus at a particularstation is set up to report a train, the check answer back signal willbe in the same code as was given when this apparatus was set up, butwill antomatically cease after a triple repetition of this code.Likewise, if the apparatus at a way station is in the normal condition,the check signal will be in the same code as the signal given when atrain reports itself from that station, but the check signal will bereadily distin uishable because it stops automatically ai ter repeatingthe code three times. A signal of short duration is sufficient forchecking purposes, because the checking operation is initiated by thedesatcher and he is prepared and listening or the signal. Also, even ifhe misses the check signal the first time, he can easily and quicklyhave it repeated. If the despatcher should operate the wrong calling keyat any time, he will. know his mistake by the signal which he receives.The answer back code signals for the several stations are distinctiveand readily distinguishable, and likewise the signals for each operationor function of the apparatus at a particular station are distinctive.

Although I have particularly described the construction of one physicalcmbodiprent of my invention, and explained the operation and principlethereof; nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the formselected is merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possiblephysical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

'hat- I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is:

1. In a train reporting system for railroads having a central station,one or more local stations, and a connecting line circuit, automaticapparatus at the local stations adapted to be conditioned from thecentral station for operation by a passing train, said apparatus actingto transmit to the central station a distinctive signal when thusoperated by a passing train, and means whereby another distinguishablesignal characteristic of the respective way station may be obtained atthe central station when the apparatus thercat is conditioned foroperation without requiring a change in such condition.

2. In a train reporting system for railroads having a central station, alocal station and a connecting line circuit, automatic apparatus at thelocal station adapted to be conditioned from the central station foroperation by a passing train, said apparatus acting to transmit to thecentral station distinctive code signals when thus conditioned foroperation and when operated by a train respectively, and means wherebyother dis- 100 tinguishable code signals may be obtained at the centralstation corresponding with the existing condition of said apparatus andwithout changing that condition.

3. In a train reporting system for rail-7 ,05 roads having a centralstation, local stations and a connecting line circuit, automatic answerback mechanism and control means therefor at each local station, saidmechanism being operable to transmit over the 110 line circuit to thecentral station a number of distinctive signals characteristic of thecorresponding local station, train responsive means at each localstation automatically operating the corresponding answer back 5mechanism when that mechanism is in a predetermined condition, andselective signaling equipment for controlling said answer back mechanismto set up or annul said predetermined condition at any selected localstation, 120 or obtain a checkin signal corresponding to the existingcon ition at such stations, said mechanisms acting to trapsmitdistinguishable si als corresponding to each function per ormed.

4. In a train reporting system for rail roads having a central station,local stations and a connecting line circuit, a selector at each localstation, calling equipment at the central station for selectivelyoperating said 130 selectors, automatic answer back mechanism at eachlocal station operable to send over the line circuit to the cent 'alstation any one of a number of distinguishable signals characteristic ofthat station, and control means for each answer back mechanism governedby the corresponding selector and effective to cause that mechanism tosend a signal reporting the passage of a train, or a check signalcorresponding to the existing condition of its control means.

5. In a railway signal system, in combination: a receiving station and aplurality of way stations; and code signal sending means at each of saidway stations selectively controlled from said receivin station andadapted to he placed in condition from said receiving station to send adistinctive and characteristic signal to the receiving station when atrain passes the way station selected.

6. In a railway signaling system. in combination: a track provided withinsulating sections: a signal sending device associated with eachsection; means responsive to the presence of a train on thecorresponding section for controlling said signal sending device; andmeans controlled from a central station for selectively controlling saidsignal sending devices to place them respectively in condition to becontrolled by the corresponding first mentioned means, each signalsending device operating to send a distinctive signal to the centralstation characteristic of that device upon being so conditioned and alsoto send another difi'erent signal to said central section when a trainenters the corresponding section.

7. In a railway signaling system, in combination: a receiving stationand a plurality of way stations; an insulated section of track at eachway station; a distinctive code signal sending means at each waystation; a relay for controlling said signal sending means; selectors atsaid way stations adapted to be selectively controlled from saidreceiving station; a circuit controlled by said selector at each waystation for changing the normal condition of said relay; and meanswhereby the presence of a train on the corresponding section of trackcauses an operation of the signal sending device when said relay is inits changed condition.

8. In a railway signaling system, in combination: a receiving stationand a Way station; an insulated section of track at the way station; adistinctive code signal sending means at the way station; a relay forcontrolling said signal sending means, said signal sending means beingset into operation to cause a signal to be sent to the central stationwhen the condition of said relay is changed; a selector at the waystation controlled from said receiving station for governing said relayto change the condition thereof; and means associated with saidinsulated section of track for also indepcndcntly controlling saidrelay.

9. In a rail ay signaling system. in combination: a receiving stationand a plurality of way stations; an insulated section of track at eachway station; distinctive code signal sending means at each way stationresponsive, when conditioned for operation, to the presence of a trainon the corresponding insulated section of track; and a selector at eachway station controlled from saidcentral station for governing thecorresponding signal sending means, said signal sending means beingadapted to be conditioned for operation by its selector and to send asignal characteristic of that means to said receiving station upon beingso conditioned for operation.

10. In a railway signaling system, in combination: a central station; away station; an insulated section of track at said way station; a signalsending device at the way station having two different conditions, saidsignal sending device being adapted to send to said central station adistinctive signal when its condition is changed according to whichchange of condition is produced; means controlled from said centralstation for changing said signal sending device from one particularcondition to the other condition.

11. In a railway signaling system, in combination: a central station; away station; an insulated section of track at said Way station; a signalsending device at the way station; a relay for controlling said signalsending device, said signal sending device being adapted to send to saidcentral station a distinctive signal when the condition of said relay ischanged according to which change of condition is produced: a selectorat the way station controlled from said central station and adapted tochange said relay from either condition to the other condition, saidselector being also adapted to operate said signal sending devicewithout changing the condition of said relay; and means associated withsaid insulated section of track for changing the particular condition ofsaid relay to the other condition.

12. In a railway signalin system, in combination: a central station: aplurality of way stations: an insulated section of track at each waystation; a signal sending device adapted. when having a predeterminedcondition, to be responsive to the presence of a train on said insulatedsection of track and to send a signal to said central station when atrain enters said section of track; means controlled from said centralstation for governing said signal sending device to cause it to assumesaid predetermined condition, said signal sending device being adaptedto send a continuous signal to said central station upon assuming itspredetermined condition; and means controlled from said central stationfor stopping said continuous signal.

13. In a train reporting system, local station equipment comprising,answer back mechanism operable to give two distinctive code signals, astick relay selecting the signal given by said mechanism, and a selectorcontrolling said relay.

14. In a train reporting system, the combination with an insulated tracksection, of a stick relay dei nergized by the entrance of a train intothe track section, and a signal sending device controlled by said stickrelay.

15. In a train reporting system, a signal sending device capable ofgiving two dis tinctive code signals, electromagnetic means governingthe operation of said device and selecting the signal to be giventhereby, an insulated track section, a selective signaling system forcontrolling the cnergization of said means, and means whereby a passingtrain dcencrgizes said means.

16. A train reporting system comprising a selective signaling systemincluding calling equipment at the central station, a line circuit, andselectors at a plurality of way stations, signal sending devices at theWay stations operable to transmit over the line circuit any one of anumber of distinctive code signals characteristic of the respectivestations, an insulated track section at each way station, and meansunder the control of said selectors for governing the signal sendingdevices and thereby select any station to render a report of the passageof a train, change that selection, or check the selection withoutchanging it.

17. A railway signaling system, a central station, a plurality of waystations, an insulated track section at each way station, a signalsending device at each way station operable to transmit distinctive codesignals over the line circuit to the central station, and meansselectively controlled over the line circuit from the central stationfor rendering the signal sending device at any selected way stationresponsive to the entrance of a train into the corresponding tracksection, said means being operable to change the selection of waystations at the will of the o erator.

18. In a signaling system for railroads, a plurality of signal sendingdevices adapted when set into operation to transmit a distinctive codesignal over a line circuit to a central station and to continue suchtransmission until stopped, and a selective signaling system for placingsaid devices into condition for such operation or for stopping thecontinuous signals transmitted thereby.

19. In a railway signaling system, a railroad track provided with aplurality of insulated track sections, a central receiving station, aline circuit extending from the re ceiving station to the several tracksections, a signal sending device associated with each track section andoperable electrically to send a code signal over the line circuit to thereceiving station which is distinctive from the similar signals of allof the other devices, means rendered effective by the shunting action ofthe wheels of a train on the corresponding track section for causingoperation of the signal sending device when it is in a particularcondition, and means selectively controlled over the line circuit fromthe receiving station for placing said signal sending devicesrespectively into condition to be operated by said means.

20. In a railway signaling system, a railroad track provided with aplurality of insulated track sections, a central receiving station, aline circuit extending from the receiving station to the several tracksections, a signal sending device associated with each track section andoperable to send either of two signals over the line circuit to thereceiving station which are distinctive from each other and from thelike signals of all of the other devices, means rendered effective bythe shunting action of the wheels of a train on the corresponding tracksection for causing operation of each signal sending device to transmitone of its signals when that device is in a particular condition, andmeans selectively controlled over the line circuit from the receivingstation for lacing said signal sending devices respectively into saidparticular condition, each signal sending device when thus conditionedacting automatically to transmit its other signal.

21. In a railway signaling system, a railroad track provided with aplurality of insulated track sections, a central receiving station, aline circuit extending from the receiving station to the several tracksections, a signal sending device associated with each track section andoperable electrically to send persistently a code signal over the linecircuit to the receiving station which is dis tinctive from the signalstransmitted by all of the other devices, means rendered effective by theshunting action of the wheels of .a train on the corresponding tracksection for causing operation of the corres onding signal sending devicewhen that evice is in a particular condition, means selectivelycontrolled over the line circuit from the receiving station for placinsaid si nal sending devices respectively into sai articular condition,and means controlled mm the central station for stopping the operationof each signal sending device.

22. In a railwa signaling system, a railroad track provi ed with aplurality of insulated track sections, a central receivin station, a waystation associated with eac track section, a line circuit extending fromthe receiving station to the several way stations, an electricallyoperable signal sending device at each way station and adapted to sendpersistently either of two series of code signals which are distinctivefrom each other and from the like signals of all of the other devices,train controlled means having its effective action dependent upon thepresence of a train on the corresponding track section, meansselectively controlled over the line circuit from the receiving stationfor placing said signal sending devices respectively into condition tohe set into op eration by said train controlled means, each signalsending device when thus conditioned for operation acting automaticallyto transmit one of'its characteristic signals and also being renderedresponsive to the control of said train controlled means to transmit itsother characteristic signal, and lllt'tlnS controlled from the receivingstation for stopping the operation of each signal seinling device.

23. In a railway signaling system, a rail road track provided with aninsulated track section, a central receiving station, a line circuit, anelectrically.operahle signal sending device located adjacent to saidtrack sec tion and adapted to be operated to send per sistently eitherone of two distinctive signals over the line circuit to the receivingstation, controlling circuits and apparatus for ini tiating theoperation of said signal sen wig device and for deterininin which of thetwo signals will he transmitted thereby, said circuits and apparatusbeing adapted to he controlled over the line circuit from the rc ceivinstation to send one signal and being thereby rendered responsive to theshunting action of the wheels of a train on said track section to sendthe other signal, and means associated with the signal sending deviceand controlled over the line circuit from the receiving station forstopping the tlHllbmlS' sion of signals Irv said device.

RICHARD O. LEAKE.

